Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 4:21 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 4:21 p.m.

Art Littlejohn is a captain with Spartanburg Public Safety. Cyrus is his 4-year-old boxer.

Tim Kimzey/tim.kimzey@shj.com

Is there a special story on how your pet joined you?

Cyrus’ owner was attending graduate school and didn’t have enough time to devote to the rambunctious boxer. “He was a bag of bones; he wasn’t allowed to stay in the house.” Littlejohn’s chow mix had died a few months earlier at age 14, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to go through the devastation of a death again by getting another dog. But the golden brown boxer won over the police captain, who was willing to train him and give him a chance. “He (Cyrus) was really goofy. We had a lot of work to do. The first night I had him, he ran out the front door.”

Does your pet understand you?

Cyrus has learned how to sit, stay, lie down and shake (both paws). He also learned to stay off of the furniture and the bed. Every day before Littlejohn goes to work, he says, “Go to your room,” and Cyrus walks down the hallway to his room, and gets inside his large crate where he sleeps for the day.

Describe ways in which you make your pet part of your life.

Cyrus goes upstairs to Littlejohn’s “man cave” on the weekends and the two settle in to watch football. Littlejohn makes a lot of time to take Cyrus for walks around the neighborhood, to play Frisbee and tug o’ war with him. Cyrus likes to go for car rides and loves to meet new people. “He just likes being around people,” Littlejohn said.

What’s unique about your pet?

“He talks to me,” Littlejohn said. “He has this kind of whine when he wants something.” Cyrus also has an undershot jaw and some broken teeth from some rough play when he was younger. “He couldn’t win a show,” Littlejohn said.

What does your pet do that drives you crazy?

Littlejohn works swing shifts, but Cyrus’ schedule doesn’t usually change. He wants to get up at 5 a.m. each day, even if Littlejohn wants to sleep in. “He does his talking thing until you get up, take him outside and he can eat breakfast.”

What have you learned from your pet?

More responsibility. Cyrus is Littlejohn’s first house dog, which means he has to arrange for pet sitters (his family) to take the dog out if he works late, or when he goes on vacation. But it’s worth it. “Cyrus is my friend, my family,” Littlejohn said.

What do you love best about your pet?

“Cyrus is the perfect dog for me. I’m so busy, but he knows my routine, and he’s so easy,” Littlejohn said. “He likes attention, but he doesn’t demand it, either. He’s calm.”

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